Actinopyga varians

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Actinopyga varians
Actinopyga varians.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Holothuroidea
Order: Holothuriida
Family: Holothuriidae
Genus: Actinopyga
Species:
A. varians
Binomial name
Actinopyga varians
(Selenka, 1867)
Synonyms
  • Holothuria (Psolus) monacariaLesson, 1830
  • Holothuria guamensisQuoy & Gaimard, 1834
  • Mülleria variansSelenka, 1867

Actinopyga varians, [1] [2] the Pacific white-spotted sea cucumber or Hawaiian sea cucumber, [3] is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is found in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and also in the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Contents

Distribution and habitat

Actinopyga varians is found in tropical waters, commonly seen in the Western Pacific and the Indo-Pacific. It has been seen in Hawaii, Fiji, the French Polynesia [4] and other islands in Micronesia. [5] It tends to live in depths of about 0–25 m on living corals and surrounding rubble areas of reefs [3] on the crest of the ocean floor. [5]

Description

The size of this species ranges from 15 cm to 20 cm (6 to 8 in.). [6] The bivium is hard, [7] is dark red or brown with distinct white spots, and can be wrinkled. [6] Although the bivium is hard, all holothuroids have a reduced skeleton of isolated ossicles in the body wall. [8] A distinct characteristic of the Actinopyga genus are the teeth surrounding the anus. However, this trait is not exclusive to the Actinopyga genus, and some other Holothuria can have similar characteristics. The Holothuriidae family, which the Actinopyga varians is a part of, is are known to have thick fleshy bodies and rows of tube feet. Papillae, which are blunt projections, cover the body. Their spicules are shaped like tubes and although most species in the Holothuriidae family are able to eject cuvierian tubules in self-defense, the genera Actinopyga is unable to do so. One of the main distinguishing feature of the order Holothuriida, of which the family Holothuriidae is a part of, is the leaf-like tentacles that surround the mouth, which aids in feeding.

Diet

Actinopyga varians are detritivores and trap particles and plankton on their tentacles. The papillae of the tentacles hold cells that secrete the mucus, which the particles and plankton are stuck on to. They are highly selective deposit feeders and generally consume highly organic material. The tentacles surround the mouth, which from the mouth goes to the esophagus, then the foregut to the intestine. This is where digestion occurs. [9]

Reproduction

Although not much is known about the reproductive habits of Actinopyga varians, members of the class Holothuroidea are gonochoric and have only one gonad. Spawning and fertilization are external; [10] furthermore, species in the same genus, such as the Actinopyga mauritiana, have shown that although there are many physical, chemical and biological cues that have been used to successfully stimulate spawning, thermal stimulation is the most successful method of reproduction. [11]

Development

Echinoderms are deuterostomes. The larvae begin with a bilateral symmetrical embryo, and pass through several stages before reaching adulthood. The larvae have a three-part paired coelom that eventually develop into different parts. The first stage of the larve is auricularia, which starts after three days. [9] This first stage has a ciliated locomotor band which leads into the next stage where the ciliated band breaks up into "girdles" in a stage called doliolaria.

Eventually, after the larval metamorphosis, the sea cucumber settles down and becomes a fully grown species.

Predation

Sea cucumbers, as a species, are most vulnerable in the larval and juvenile stages; thus, they face predation most often during these stages. It is known that starfish, [12] fish, gastropods and crustaceans are predators. [9]

Uses

Although sea cucumbers have been known as a delicacy in many cultures, including those in the Pacific Islands, Actinopyga varians has not been known to be one of the edible species of sea cucumbers; however, Actinopyga mauritiana, a species in the Actinopyga The only known edible species in the Actinopyga genus is Actinopyga mauritiana. [13] In China a similar species in the same genus, Actinopyga echinites, is held valuable for its pharmacological compound. [14] It is unknown if the Actinopyga varians holds the same compounds that are thought of as valuable for such purposes.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea cucumber</span> Class of echinoderms

Sea cucumbers are echinoderms from the class Holothuroidea. They are marine animals with a leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. They are found on the sea floor worldwide. The number of known holothurian species worldwide is about 1,786, with the greatest number being in the Asia-Pacific region. Many of these are gathered for human consumption and some species are cultivated in aquaculture systems. The harvested product is variously referred to as trepang, namako, bêche-de-mer, or balate. Sea cucumbers serve a useful role in the marine ecosystem as they help recycle nutrients, breaking down detritus and other organic matter, after which bacteria can continue the decomposition process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holothuriida</span> Clade of sea cucumbers

Holothuriida is an order of sea cucumbers. Taxa within the order Holothuriida were previously classified in the order Aspidochirotida, which was determined to be polyphyletic in 2017. Some taxa were also reclassified into the clades Synallactida and Persiculida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea cucumbers as food</span> Marine foodstuff

Sea cucumbers are marine animals of the class Holothuroidea. They can be used as food, in fresh or dried form, in various cuisines. In some cultural contexts the sea cucumber is thought to have medicinal value.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holothuriidae</span> Family of sea cucumbers

Holothuriidae is a family of sea cucumbers, a type of echinoderm.

<i>Actinopyga</i> Genus of sea cucumbers

Actinopyga is a genus of sea cucumbers found in coastal waters in tropical and temperate regions.

<i>Holothuria scabra</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria scabra, or sandfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It was placed in the subgenus Metriatyla by Rowe in 1969 and is the type species of the subgenus. Sandfish are harvested and processed into "beche-de-mer" and eaten in China and other Pacific coastal communities.

<i>Bohadschia</i> Genus of sea cucumbers

Bohadschia is a genus of sea cucumbers in the family Holothuriidae. They are among the largest, most common, and conspicuous sea cucumbers on coral reefs. They have large, loaf-like bodies that are often strikingly colored.

<i>Holothuria edulis</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria edulis, commonly known as the edible sea cucumber or the pink and black sea cucumber, is a species of echinoderm in the family Holothuriidae. It was placed in the subgenus Halodeima by Pearson in 1914, making its full scientific name Holothuria (Halodeima) edulis. It is found in shallow water in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiridotidae</span> Family of sea cucumbers

Chiridotidae is a family of sea cucumbers found in the order Apodida. Within the family, there are 16 recognized genera all with different ranges of body types and functions. Sea cucumbers play a fundamental role in many marine ecosystems.

<i>Actinopyga echinites</i> Species of sea cucumber

Actinopyga echinites, commonly known as the brownfish or deep water redfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region and is harvested for food.

<i>Actinopyga caerulea</i> Species of sea cucumber

Actinopyga caerulea, the blue sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. Named for its unique blue coloration, this species can be found along the continental shelf of the tropical Western Indo-Pacific region, at depths between 12 and 45 m. It is a commercially important species, and is harvested for food along its range.

<i>Actinopyga mauritiana</i> Species of sea cucumber

Actinopyga mauritiana, commonly known as the surf redfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is native to the tropical West Indo-Pacific region and is harvested for food.

<i>Actinopyga capillata</i> Species of sea cucumber

Actinopyga capillata, the hairy sea cucumber, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. It is found in the tropical West Indo-Pacific region, having a disjunct range, with the main population in island groups in the western Indian Ocean, and a separate population in the Philippines.

Holothuria grisea, the gray sea cucumber, is a mid-sized coastal species of sea cucumber found in shallow tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Southern Brazil and West Africa. They have a variety in color and can range from red to more yellowish with brown markings. They are also a food source for local and international markets with the majority of harvesting taking place in Brazil. This species is currently not over-fished and is not endangered or threatened.

The Dr. K.K. Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber Conservation Reserve is a marine protected area located off the coast of the Indian union territory of Lakshadweep, approximately 50 km (31 mi) northwest of the island of Bitra. Formally established by Indian authorities on February 27th, 2020, the reserve covers 239 km2 (92 sq mi) of the Arabian Sea, including parts of the Byramgore (Cheriyapani) Reef, and is the world's first conservation area specifically dedicated to the protection of sea cucumbers.

<i>Holothuria cinerascens</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria (Semperothuria) cinerascens is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. The sea cucumber is widely distributed in the Pacific and Indian ocean, being found from the Red Sea to Madagascar and from Japan to Australia. It was first described by Brandt in 1835.

<i>Holothuria pervicax</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria pervicax is a species of sea cucumber in the genus Holothuria. It is commonly called the stubborn sea cucumber due to its inability to be kept alive in captivity. It is commonly found buried beneath rocks on reefs in warm waters.

<i>Holothuria stellati</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria stellati, also known as the Brown sea cucumber,is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. First described by Delle Chiaje in 1824. There are two accepted subspecies, Holothuria stellatidakarensis and Holothuria stellati mammata, though there is still debate on whether or not they are separate species.

Holothuria (Cystipus) cubana is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. This species was first described by Ludwig in 1875.

<i>Holothuria whitmaei</i> Species of sea cucumber

Holothuria (Microthele) whitmaei, commonly known as the black teatfish, is a species of sea cucumber in the family Holothuriidae. The sea cucumber is distributed in the western Indian and Pacific oceans, with specimens being found off of Tanzania, New Caledonia and the Philippines. They are usually found in groups of 5-25 individuals.

References

  1. ↑ "Actinopyga varians (Selenka, 1867) holothuroids". Palomares, M.L.D. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2020. SeaLifeBase.
  2. ↑ "Sea Cucumbers". Sea Slugs of Hawaii.
  3. 1 2 "White-spotted Sea Cucumber (Actinopyga varians)". Whats That Fish!.
  4. ↑ "Actinopyga varians". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  5. 1 2 Kerr, Alexander M. (February 2014). "Survey of the Shallow-water Echinoderms of Nauru, Micronesia" (PDF). University of Guam Marine Laboratory Technical Report. 158: 6.
  6. 1 2 "Whitespotted Sea Cucumber - Actinopyga varians - Sea Cucumbers - Speckled Sea Cucumber, Surf Redfish - Hawaii Reefs". reefguide.org. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  7. ↑ "White-spotted Sea Cucumber, Actinopyga varians". keokistender.com. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  8. ↑ Kerr, Alexander M.; Janies, Daniel A.; Clouse, Ronald M.; Samyn, Yves; Kuszak, Jeni; Kim, Junhyong (2005-02-01). "Molecular Phylogeny of Coral-Reef Sea Cucumbers (Holothuriidae: Aspidochirotida) Based on 16S Mitochondrial Ribosomal DNA Sequence". Marine Biotechnology. 7 (1): 53–60. Bibcode:2005MarBt...7...53K. doi:10.1007/s10126-004-0019-y. ISSN   1436-2236. PMID   15997365. S2CID   976615.
  9. 1 2 3 Mulcrone, Renee Sherman. "Holothuroidea". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  10. ↑ "Actinopyga varians, Holothuroids". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2022-04-25.
  11. ↑ Battaglene, Stephen C; Seymour, J. Evizel; Ramofafia, Christian; Lane, Idris (2002-04-30). "Spawning induction of three tropical sea cucumbers, Holothuria scabra, H. fuscogilva and Actinopyga mauritiana". Aquaculture. 207 (1): 29–47. Bibcode:2002Aquac.207...29B. doi:10.1016/S0044-8486(01)00725-6. ISSN   0044-8486.
  12. ↑ So, J. J.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (December 2010). "Habitat utilisation, growth and predation of Cucumaria frondosa: implications for an emerging sea cucumber fishery: DISTRIBUTION, GROWTH AND PREDATION OF C. FRONDOSA". Fisheries Management and Ecology. 17 (6): 473–484. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2400.2010.00747.x.
  13. ↑ Collins, Chase (2020-03-07). "Can you eat Hawaiian sea cucumber?".
  14. ↑ Zhong, Shengping; Huang, Lianghua; Liu, Yonghong; Huang, Guoqiang (2020). "The first complete mitochondrial genome of Actinopyga from Actinopyga echinites (Aspidochirotida: Holothuriidae)". Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 5 (1): 854–855. doi:10.1080/23802359.2019.1710598. ISSN   2380-2359. PMC   7748656 . PMID   33366782.
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